What is the world - Will, or just Representation?

Both subjective and objective idealism hold that everything that exists is made of mind. 

The difference between them is about the status of the world. 

For an objective idealist like Bernardo, when you look out at the mountains and stars you are not only seeing an image in your mind, you are seeing the representation of some yet greater mind. 

For the subjective idealist like Berkeley, when you see the mountain or stars what you see is all there is. They exist as perceptions only, like reflections on a lake without anything they are reflecting.

Does the falling tree in the forest still make a sound with no one there?

Potentially. But for Berkeley, only as a perception in the mind of God. (For the mind-only Buddhist, not even that.)

It is similar to the difference between being on a zoom call and watching a cartoon:

In both cases, everything you see are just pixels on your screen. But on a live call, those pixels also represent the living, breathing will of someone on the other end.

When you watch a cartoon, it's just pixels on a screen. In that moment there is nothing behind them. Turn off your screen and they cease to exist. No will, just representation.

(Like all metaphors, this one is imperfect, since the drawings may represent the will of their creator.)

Will, or just Representation?

This brings us to the crux of a debate that has raged for centuries, between Berkeley and Schopenhauer. Between mind-only Buddhists and Advaitins.

Shankara, the great reviver of nonduality was already arguing this point in 8th century India. The mind-only Buddhists viewed existence as mere appearances in multiple streams of consciousness, generated by their karma. Adi Shankara however was both idealist and realist - the world exists without you.

In this session we'll review these positions with Bernardo, and his reasons to adopt objective idealism over its subjective varieties. 

Most importantly, we'll discuss what each orientation means for our experience of the world and ourselves, then open up for questions. 

I look forward to seeing your will represented!

With appreciation,

Amir

Zoom Room

4th August 2026 | 6-8pm UK time / 7-9pm CEST / 1-3pm EDT